The effects of mechanical removals of mistletoe on radial growth in scots pine stands: A case study in Kilickaya forest enterprise

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of mechanical removals of the mistletoe on radial growth in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands that are located within the boundaries of Kılıçkaya Forest Enterprise in Yusufeli, Artvin, Turkey. In this context, the mistletoes on the infected Scots pine trees were mechanically removed in the years of 2009, 2010 and 2011 periodically at three different altitude zones. The development of the trees and mistletoes on them were monitored from 2009 to 2014. In each altitude zone, 50 trees were sampled (150 trees in total). From each tree, two sample cores were taken and their spring and summer annual ring thicknesses were measured. Dendrochronological techniques were used to investigate whether the annual radial growth trend after the removal of mistletoe was affected by climatic events or other related natural events. The results showed that average annual radial growth on summer woods of treated trees was 15% more than those of untreated trees. There was no significant change on the average annual radial growth on spring woods of treated and untreated trees.